DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
Commerce ministry seeks views of departments on measures to revive SEZs, promote economies of scale: Official
"The main issue in SEZs is that we are not able to get economies of scale. The connect between SEZs and the domestic tariff area (DTA) or domestic market has to be improved. There are also issues if DTA is selling to SEZs," the official said.
China's Xi calls for 'bridges' amid trade, diplomatic frictions
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the building of "bridges" in the global economy as Beijing grapples with economic, trade, and territorial disputes with neighbours and trading partners. He emphasized that the world's second-largest economy will never leave the road of peaceful development and will not become a "strong" state seeking to dominate others.
India rejects 'deeply biased' US report on religious freedom
The US State Department's 'Religious Freedom Report 2023' released by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Wednesday noted violent attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims and Christians, including killings, assaults and vandalism of houses of worship.
India-France-Australia trilateral identifies new proposals to expand Indo-Pacific partnership
The Indian side was led by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) and Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific), while the French side was led by Benoît Guidée, Director (Asia and Oceania), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian side was led by Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Hardeep Singh Puri, face of India's oil diplomacy, takes oath
Born in Delhi, the 1974 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Puri claims to be affiliated to ABVP - the students' body aligned to BJP, during his student days at Hindu College of the Delhi University (DU), where he received his bachelor and master's degrees in history.
Why is China so annoyed over Modi's reply on X?
Modi's reply to Taiwan President's congratulatory message has sparked controversy, leading to China's strong protest. China has urged India to resist Taiwan's 'political calculations'. Taiwan's President Lai congratulated Modi on his election victory and emphasized enhancing India-Taiwan ties on trade and technology.
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Maharashtra attracts highest FDI for second consecutive year: Fadnavis
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state has attracted the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India for the second consecutive year. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Maharashtra received FDI worth Rs 1,25,101 crore in 2023-24, surpassing Gujarat and Karnataka.
Fake job offers in India or abroad: How to spot a fraudulent job offer, know the full list of authorised agents for foreign jobs
Fake job offers: India is such a country where millions of young people reside and many of them are searching for a job either within India or abroad. Younger people have aspirations and enthusiasm which fraudsters are using to dupe them with fake job offers. In the recent past many young Indians were taken abroad to work in scam jobs, etc.
More than 670 feared dead in Papua New Guinea landslide, UN agency says
PAPUA-More than 670 feared dead in Papua New Guinea landslide, UN agency says
Top regulators, govt departments join forces to counter pesky calls, online fraud
Regulators such as RBI, SEBI, Trai, along with government departments like the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and DoT, convened on May 21 to address the issue of pesky communications and online financial fraud. Discussions centered on tightening KYC rules, improving information sharing among stakeholders, and enhancing consent mechanisms. Trai's joint committee of regulators is spearheading collaborative efforts to tackle digital regulatory implications.
South Africa launches 'nomad visa' for remote workers
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs introduces a 'nomad visa' for remote workers, with a 1 million rand income requirement. The move aims to assist major foreign-owned employers facing challenges due to delays in work permit processing and a shortage of skilled workers. Updates include a points-based system for general work visas and a reduction in police clearance certificate period.
Expect good response on EV policy, FDI reforms in new govt; prepare for low tariff regime: DPIIT Secretary
India anticipates a positive response from numerous automobile companies to its electric vehicle (EV) policy, according to Rajesh Kumar Singh, DPIIT secretary. He noted that the government has adjusted tariffs to attract manufacturers without direct spending. Additionally, he stated that India might further liberalize FDI norms in select areas under the new government.
India, UK review implementation of 10-year roadmap
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra reviewed the India-UK 'Roadmap 2030' in London, enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, security, science, and people-to-people exchanges. Meetings were held with Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad, MoS for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, and NSA Sir Tim Barrow.
Not ignoring business with China, but need to be alert: Jaishankar
Speaking at a panel discussion at CII Annual Business Summit, Jaishankar said that as far as national security goes, it is more complex with China.
India friend of world; we expect it to help bring peace to Ukraine: Switzerland ahead of peace summit
Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel expects India, as a friend of the global community, to play a key role in bringing peace to Ukraine. India's participation in the Switzerland summit is crucial for the peace process, given its influence in diplomatic terms worldwide. India's expertise in conflict transformation and peace promotion is highly valued.
India's spike in trade with Russia not 'temporary phenomenon', says S Jaishankar
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that the growing trade between India and Russia is not a passing trend but a result of emerging economic prospects. He emphasised the long-standing relationship between the two nations despite India's stance on the Ukraine conflict. Trade has seen a significant increase with India becoming a top buyer of Russian oil amid Western sanctions. Efforts are underway to deepen economic ties further.
India benefiting from more investments coming into the country as less foreign investment going into China: UN expert
The UN highlighted India's 'very robust' economic growth, positioning it as an alternative investment destination for western companies. With less foreign investment going into China, India is attracting more western investments, solidifying its position as a key investment source.
1,366 tenders worth Rs 60,276 cr procurement violate Make-in-India norms
An analysis by DPIIT reveals 1,366 government tenders worth Rs 60,276 crore non-compliant with procurement norms; 369 tenders violated Make in India Order, 40 sought specific foreign certification. DPIIT recommends increasing local content requirements and identifies various violations in public procurement tenders, prompting corrective actions.
"For everyone's benefit, don't think people should take a narrow view of it": EAM Jaishankar responds to US' sanction warning on Chabahar Port deal
Chabahar Port Deal: EAM S Jaishankar stresses regional benefits of India-Iran Chabahar Port deal despite US sanctions warning at his book launch "Why Bharat Matters" in Kolkata. US State Department's Vedant Patel warns of potential sanctions for deals with Tehran. India has signed Long-Term Bilateral Agreement with Iran for Shahid-Behesti port operation.
US State Dept moves $1 bln weapons aid for Israel to congressional review, officials say
President Joe Biden said last week he had delayed a shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel over concerns they might be used for a major invasion of Rafah, a town in southern Gaza.
Soon-to-be unfair trade practice, telemarketing & fraudulent calls to incur criminal liability
The Department of Consumer Affairs is working to bring out relevant guidelines in a couple of months. These will put accountability on telemarketers and their principal entities — such as banks, real estate companies or any other consumer-facing business — while sending promotional or transactional messages or making such calls for customer conversion.
With neighbour like China, we have to learn to compete, says Jaishankar on boosting India's manufacturing
EAM Jaishankar suggested that lack of focus in the past on the manufacturing sector is linked to the upward trajectory in India-China trade notwithstanding New Delhi's approach that normalisation of ties with Beijing is dependent on resolution of the eastern Ladakh border row.
US says Israel's use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
Biden administration suggests Israel's use of U.S. weapons in Gaza may breach international law, lacking specific evidence. Report underscores potential violations. Debate stirs over humanitarian aid restrictions and political motives, fueling tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Congress.
US says Israel's use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration suggested that Israel's use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Gaza may have breached international law but stopped short of conclusive evidence due to wartime complexities. While finding "reasonable" evidence of violations, the report did not link specific U.S. arms to individual airstrikes. This assessment could influence future decisions on arms provisions to Israel. Critics argue the review overlooks clear Israeli blocks on aid delivery during the conflict, raising concerns about potential starvation among Palestinians in Gaza.
"Won't speak until allegations are proved before a jury": US on investigation into alleged attempt to kill Pannun
The US State Department has stated that it will not comment on the investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun until the allegations are proven in court. The department's spokesperson emphasized that the case is an ongoing legal matter. A Czech court has ruled to extradite an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, to the US in connection with the case. The Indian government has denied involvement and set up a committee to investigate. The US reiterated its non-interference stance in India's elections.
Foreign Secretary Kwatra meets Bangladesh PM Hasina, reviews bilateral ties with top officials
In the first official visit of a high-level official to Bangladesh after the formation of the new government in January 2024 here, Kwatra also met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and his counterpart Masud Bin Momen.
Russian Foreign Ministry dismisses US allegations of India's role in Pannun case
The Russian Foreign Ministry has rejected US allegations of an Indian plot to assassinate pro-Khalistan radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stating that Washington has not provided any reliable evidence. The ministry's spokesperson criticized the US for its lack of understanding of India's national mentality and historical context, accusing the US of disrespecting India. The US Justice Department recently unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in the plot. India has dismissed these allegations as speculative and irresponsible.
Has Israel followed the law in its war in Gaza? The US is due to render a first-of-its-kind verdict
The Biden administration is set to determine if Israel's actions in Gaza violate international and U.S. laws, amid scrutiny over its military support for Israel. This decision could influence the flow of weapons and aid to Israel. Critics question whether the U.S. will hold Israel accountable for alleged human rights violations, while supporters argue for maintaining strong ties with Israel. The administration's findings could impact future military assistance to Israel and have broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Nepal Dy PM signals negotiations on disputed boundary days after currency note
Nepal Deputy PM and foreign affairs minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has signaled negotiations with India to resolve the boundary issue with the country. External affairs minister S Jaishankar stated that Nepal's move would not change the situation or reality on the ground. Sources said the decision to issue a new ₹100 note with a map depicting disputed territories with India was political opportunism.
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